Metfiod of Drawing Birds. 53 



attached to the representation of each species a minute descrip- 

 tion of all their parts. This was done probably because the sub- 

 jects were never or very seldom offered to view of their natural 

 size ; or perhaps, indeed, because these very authors were well 

 aware of the want of accuracy in those figures, seldom drawn 

 by themselves. In my work I wish to curtail these extremely 

 tiresome descriptions ; more anxious that those who study orni- 

 thology should compare at once my figures with the living spe- 

 cimen, than with a description so easily made to correspond 

 with the drawings by any person who merely knows the tech- 

 nical appellations of each part and feathers, with the name of 

 the colours chosen by authors for that purpose. 



I shall neither describe the eggs of the species that I have 

 procured nor the number. A glance at the drawings will answer 

 the more readily, as you will see classed under each the date of 

 the season, and the average number deposited by each bird 

 when ready for incubation. Not so with the nests. I would 

 wish to see these so well described en masse, that the young na- 

 turalists, when in the woods, would be able to know the artist 

 by his work. This is often a difficult task, the more with those 

 species who will oftentimes form their nests differently, and of 

 different materials, according to localities and climate, and those 

 that oftentimes take possession of that of quite another species. 



If the greater number of figures given in a work are received 

 as perfectly correct in all their parts, by comparing them with 

 good specimens, and through such an examination the author 

 is greeted with public confidence, why should the reader be 

 tormented with descriptions? Where is the amateur of paintings 

 who could bear the reading of a description of the structure, 

 muscles, and expression of the face of such a man as Rem- 

 brandt, after gazing at the portrait of that eminent artist by him- 

 self ? The study of ornithology must be a journey of plea- 

 sure. Each step must present to the traveller's view objects that 

 are eminently interesting, varied in their appearance, and at- 

 tracting to such a degree, as to excite in each individual thus 

 happily employed the desire of knowing all respecting all he 

 sees. 



I would have liked to raise an everlasting monument, com- 

 memorating with a grand effect the history and portraits of the 



